We did this as an overnighter. However, despite being quite organized about early start on summit day, we spent so much time scrambling up the endless talus pile that realized that we're not making it. Had to head back, pack up and do a speed-hike to the car.

Single-day push from Tuolumne Meadows. Beautiful easy walk through Lyell Canyon, a good hike uphill to near the bottom of Donohue Pass, then off-trail over granite benches, up the moraine/boulder fields to the glacier. Glacier was in bad shape, bergschrund had opened up like a maw. Went all the way to the right, had to cross an icy snow bridge to get onto the class 3 ledges. Some exposed climbing with loose rock to reach summit plateau, then easy class 2 scramble to summit. Magnificent views in all directions. Truly an emblem Sierra summit. Hike back out seemed never-ending, but the effort was absolutely worth it.

Goal was to to do Lyell and Parsons Peak, two county high points in two days, but Lyell was enough for this trip and us old farts. We'll just have to come back another day and do Parsons. Unfortunately the Aspen fire was burning to the west so we had a bit of smokey haze. Pics from trip http://goo.gl/TOBO49

Dayhike of Lyell & Maclure from Tuolumne Meadows. We used crampons starting from the foot of the Lyell Glacier and followed the snow to its highest point just right of the bergschrund. From there, the transition to easy Class 3 rock was no problem. Great 360 degree views from the summit.

With Josh H. We were on firm snow from about 10K feet. Did the glacier direct route all the way to the summit ridge. There are a number of small chutes to the top, none of them more than 40 degrees. With axe and crampons it was a breeze. Descended by the 3rd class rock to the Lyell-McClure col and then did McClure. Day-hiked the whole thing at 13 hours.

Went for it solo after my partners all bailed. Started at Tuolumne and camped out right around timberline. Had really fine weather but the glacier was in bad shape with sun cups, which made for a rough patch. Other than that, straightforward rock scrambling up to the summit, with a truly breathtaking view. Beautiful climb!

This was the opener to a week of backpacking in Yosemite. We hiked in from Tuolomne and camped just as the trail starts to ascend. As I was the only one really excited about summitting Lyell, we got a late start the next day. Two of us made it to the Col. I was able to scramble part way up the summit ridge solo, but turned back before getting all the way. I think I will come back to give this one another try. Amazing country here.

Camped in Lyell Canyon and summited the following day. A slight dusting of snow made the climbing a little more interesting. Winds were fierce. We were hit by a mild early season storm the night after we climbed the peak. The snow made for a beautiful setting and lots fewer people.